“I think we need to accomplish what God needs us to do. We’ve all got to lay down our arms, and we’ve got to let the Holy Spirit lead us.” — Bishop Karen Oliveto’s advice ahead of the 2019 special General Conference.
NEWS AND FEATURES
LGBTQ advocates conflicted on Way Forward
ST. LOUIS (UMNS) — A number of United Methodists who support LGBTQ equality see real progress in the One Church Plan. Still other advocates see it as perpetuating discrimination and prefer what’s being called a Simple Plan. Heather Hahn reports on conversations at the “For Everyone Born” convocation.
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Congo young people try to stop election violence
KINDU, Congo (UMNS) — United Methodist youth are conducting civic education for other young people with funding from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Presidential, legislative, provincial and local elections in the Congo are scheduled for Dec. 23. Chadrack Tambwe Londe reports.
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California-Nevada Conference
Response to northern California fires
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — United Methodists in the California-Nevada Conference are responding to fires sweeping northern California. Among those affected by the Carr Fire, the seventh most destructive in California history, are about 60 members of Redding United Methodist Church, along with the Rev. Joe Major and his wife, Julia, who were evacuated. Most of the community served by the Shasta Lake United Methodist Church also has been evacuated.
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Religion News Service
Sessions focuses on religious liberty
WASHINGTON (RNS) — U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is creating a Justice Department task force to make sure potential burdens on religious liberty are considered before policies and regulations are issued. “Religious Americans are no longer an afterthought,” said Sessions, a United Methodist. Yonat Shimron reports.
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PRESS RELEASES
Board of Global Ministries
Two trainings offered for EarthKeepers program
ATLANTA — The United Methodist Board of Global Ministries is looking for laity and clergy who want to develop or deepen environmental initiatives in their communities by participating in the mission agency’s EarthKeepers program. Applications are invited for two upcoming trainings, where Global Ministries will provide lodging and meals. The trainings are Sept. 27-30 in Detroit, with a Sept. 6 application deadline, and Nov. 1-4 in Salt Lake City, with an Oct. 11 deadline.
Read press release
Commission on Way Forward
Way Forward report released in 4 languages
WASHINGTON — The final report of the Commission on a Way Forward has been released in all four official languages of the General Conference: English, French, Portuguese and Swahili. The report will be presented to the 2019 special General Conference. Subject to final copy editing, the report will be printed in the Advance Daily Christian Advocate in November.
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Read report in English
Read report in French
Read report in Portuguese
Read report in Swahili
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